CropMonitor Email Updates
06/08/2008
02/06/2008
23/05/2008
16/05/2008
30/04/2008
09/04/2008
Fusarium head blight and mycotoxin risk
The 2008 national survey of commercially grown winter wheat is now finished and the majority (97%) of isolations to identify the species responsible for Fusarium head blight (FHB) symptoms have been completed. Results indicate that 64% of samples were infected by FHB pathogens (compared to 86% in 2007).
As in 2007, Microdochium species (non-toxin producers) were responsible for the majority of symptoms (present in 44% of crops). Just over a quarter of the crops sampled were infected with Fusarium graminearum (toxin producer), a level similar to 2007. The worst affected regions, both in terms of crops affected and disease severity, were the South East, and East Midlands. Crops in the Yorkshire & Humberside, East and South West regions were also affected by F. graminearum. Low or zero levels of infection were found in the North East, North West, and West Midlands.
Based on these results, the national risk from toxin contamination is likely to be similar to or slightly greater than last year. On a regional basis, crops in the South East region and East Midlands region are at greatest risk, followed by those in the East, South West, and Yorkshire & Humberside. Areas of low risk are the North East, North West, and West Midlands. However, the final toxin levels will be dependent on harvest conditions, with higher toxin levels likely if the harvest is delayed by wet weather.
Isolations will be complete by the middle of next week and F. graminearum distribution maps published on the CropMonitor website by 15 August.
The 2008 national survey of commercially grown winter wheat is now finished and the majority (97%) of isolations to identify the species responsible for Fusarium head blight (FHB) symptoms have been completed. Results indicate that 64% of samples were infected by FHB pathogens (compared to 86% in 2007).
As in 2007, Microdochium species (non-toxin producers) were responsible for the majority of symptoms (present in 44% of crops). Just over a quarter of the crops sampled were infected with Fusarium graminearum (toxin producer), a level similar to 2007. The worst affected regions, both in terms of crops affected and disease severity, were the South East, and East Midlands. Crops in the Yorkshire & Humberside, East and South West regions were also affected by F. graminearum. Low or zero levels of infection were found in the North East, North West, and West Midlands.
Based on these results, the national risk from toxin contamination is likely to be similar to or slightly greater than last year. On a regional basis, crops in the South East region and East Midlands region are at greatest risk, followed by those in the East, South West, and Yorkshire & Humberside. Areas of low risk are the North East, North West, and West Midlands. However, the final toxin levels will be dependent on harvest conditions, with higher toxin levels likely if the harvest is delayed by wet weather.
Isolations will be complete by the middle of next week and F. graminearum distribution maps published on the CropMonitor website by 15 August.
02/06/2008
Disease Update
Fusarium
At CropMonitor trials levels of stem-base infection are currently lower than at the equivalent time last year. However, isolations indicate that Fusarium Head Blight pathogen inoculum is developing at the stem-base and in the crop debris, although currently the majority of species found are Microdochium (non-toxin producers). In contrast, leaf isolations show that Fusarium species (toxin producers), specifically Fusarium culmorum is present at all of the CropMonitor fusarium monitoring sites. See http://cropmonitor.co.uk/wwheat/risktools/fusariumrisk/fus-intro.cfm for risk factors for development of Fusarium species which produce deoxynivalenol in grain. The HGCA mycotoxin risk tool is also available. See http://www.hgca.com/content.output/2764/2764/Resources/Tools/Fusarium%20Mycotoxin%20Risk%20Assessment%20.mspx for details.
Periods of warm, wet weather, which are conducive to disease development, are forecast during flowering when crops are at their most susceptible. The optimum time to apply sprays against Fusarium head blight is mid-flowering (GS65).
Septoria
Septoria levels increased significantly last week in the CropMonitor trials in the South and West, and also at Morley. At all sites Septoria is now established on leaf 3, with 10% leaf area affected in Somerset trial. Leaf 2 is also showing symptoms at Somerset and Andover. Disease in the Somerset trial is highest, and Septoria levels in this trial are higher than in any of the comparable CropMonitor South West sites since 2004.
The CropMonitor Septoria risk prediction has been updated in time for T3 spray decisions, and confirms that the risk in the South West is very high. See http://cropmonitor.co.uk/wwheat/risktools/septoria/EarlyWarning.cfm
Yellow rust
Yellow rust is now present on Robigus at all CropMonitor trials. Levels are currently low in the South and South West. Further east levels increased sharply last week on leaves 2, 3 & 4, and at Morley, Boxworth and Caythorpe disease is now present on the flag leaf.
AICC members report that few problems are being seen on treated crops, however the high levels of disease in some CropMonitor trials, which are untreated, suggest that risk to inadequately protected crops of Robigus is still very high.
Orange wheat blossom midge
AICC members report that in the South East many pheromone traps reached threshold within 48 hours last week. With recent rainfall and soil temperatures at or approaching 13 degrees Celsius in other regions, conditions will trigger pupation, probably coinciding with mid-ear emergence (GS 53-57) when crops are at their most susceptible. See http://www.hgca.com/document.aspx?fn=load&media_id=1769 for the HGCA guide to Assessment and Control.
Fusarium
At CropMonitor trials levels of stem-base infection are currently lower than at the equivalent time last year. However, isolations indicate that Fusarium Head Blight pathogen inoculum is developing at the stem-base and in the crop debris, although currently the majority of species found are Microdochium (non-toxin producers). In contrast, leaf isolations show that Fusarium species (toxin producers), specifically Fusarium culmorum is present at all of the CropMonitor fusarium monitoring sites. See http://cropmonitor.co.uk/wwheat/risktools/fusariumrisk/fus-intro.cfm for risk factors for development of Fusarium species which produce deoxynivalenol in grain. The HGCA mycotoxin risk tool is also available. See http://www.hgca.com/content.output/2764/2764/Resources/Tools/Fusarium%20Mycotoxin%20Risk%20Assessment%20.mspx for details.
Periods of warm, wet weather, which are conducive to disease development, are forecast during flowering when crops are at their most susceptible. The optimum time to apply sprays against Fusarium head blight is mid-flowering (GS65).
Septoria
Septoria levels increased significantly last week in the CropMonitor trials in the South and West, and also at Morley. At all sites Septoria is now established on leaf 3, with 10% leaf area affected in Somerset trial. Leaf 2 is also showing symptoms at Somerset and Andover. Disease in the Somerset trial is highest, and Septoria levels in this trial are higher than in any of the comparable CropMonitor South West sites since 2004.
The CropMonitor Septoria risk prediction has been updated in time for T3 spray decisions, and confirms that the risk in the South West is very high. See http://cropmonitor.co.uk/wwheat/risktools/septoria/EarlyWarning.cfm
Yellow rust
Yellow rust is now present on Robigus at all CropMonitor trials. Levels are currently low in the South and South West. Further east levels increased sharply last week on leaves 2, 3 & 4, and at Morley, Boxworth and Caythorpe disease is now present on the flag leaf.
AICC members report that few problems are being seen on treated crops, however the high levels of disease in some CropMonitor trials, which are untreated, suggest that risk to inadequately protected crops of Robigus is still very high.
Orange wheat blossom midge
AICC members report that in the South East many pheromone traps reached threshold within 48 hours last week. With recent rainfall and soil temperatures at or approaching 13 degrees Celsius in other regions, conditions will trigger pupation, probably coinciding with mid-ear emergence (GS 53-57) when crops are at their most susceptible. See http://www.hgca.com/document.aspx?fn=load&media_id=1769 for the HGCA guide to Assessment and Control.
23/05/2008
Disease Update
All CropMonitor sites have all reached flag leaf, and boots are splitting open in Einstein at Boxworth and Somerset. More widely, AICC members report that ears are emerging on earlier sown crops.
Septoria:
Septoria levels now differ substantially between the most Northern (York) and most South Western (Somerset) CropMonitor sites, with the South West site being most severely affected. Risks are undoubtedly higher in the South and West, but it remains the predominant disease across the country. The CropMonitor risk prediction scheme can be seen at http://www.cropmonitor.co.uk/wwheat/risktools/septoria/EarlyWarning.cfm. An update will be published in the first week of June to take into account this months weather.
Yellow rust:
Andover and Cirencester are the only two CropMonitor sites where Robigus is still free from yellow rust. Levels are low at York and Somerset, but at the remaining four sites, yellow rust is increasing rapidly. AICC members report few problems in treated crops except in Robigus where T1s were delayed. Recent conditions are likely to favour further development of this disease, so Robigus remains at high risk if fungicide protection is not maintained.
Brown rust:
Although brown rust is present at a number of CropMonitor sites and is present in three of the four monitored cultivars, levels remain very low. AICC members also report that the disease is difficult to find in treated crops. The immediate threat is therefore considered to be low.
Orange wheat blossom midge:
If soil moisture levels are sufficient, larvae will start to pupate when soil temperatures reach 13 degrees C. Soil temperatures are now approaching 13 degrees C and rain is forecast for the bank holiday weekend, which may therefore lead to an emergence of adults to coincide with ear emergence. As crops enter mid-ear emergence (GS 53-57) vigilance is required - if using pheromone traps, monitor regularly. The HGCA Guide to assessment and control is available at http://www.hgca.com/document.aspx?fn=load&media_id=1769.
Come and visit us at stand 110 at Cereals 2008 on 11-12 June.
All CropMonitor sites have all reached flag leaf, and boots are splitting open in Einstein at Boxworth and Somerset. More widely, AICC members report that ears are emerging on earlier sown crops.
Septoria:
Septoria levels now differ substantially between the most Northern (York) and most South Western (Somerset) CropMonitor sites, with the South West site being most severely affected. Risks are undoubtedly higher in the South and West, but it remains the predominant disease across the country. The CropMonitor risk prediction scheme can be seen at http://www.cropmonitor.co.uk/wwheat/risktools/septoria/EarlyWarning.cfm. An update will be published in the first week of June to take into account this months weather.
Yellow rust:
Andover and Cirencester are the only two CropMonitor sites where Robigus is still free from yellow rust. Levels are low at York and Somerset, but at the remaining four sites, yellow rust is increasing rapidly. AICC members report few problems in treated crops except in Robigus where T1s were delayed. Recent conditions are likely to favour further development of this disease, so Robigus remains at high risk if fungicide protection is not maintained.
Brown rust:
Although brown rust is present at a number of CropMonitor sites and is present in three of the four monitored cultivars, levels remain very low. AICC members also report that the disease is difficult to find in treated crops. The immediate threat is therefore considered to be low.
Orange wheat blossom midge:
If soil moisture levels are sufficient, larvae will start to pupate when soil temperatures reach 13 degrees C. Soil temperatures are now approaching 13 degrees C and rain is forecast for the bank holiday weekend, which may therefore lead to an emergence of adults to coincide with ear emergence. As crops enter mid-ear emergence (GS 53-57) vigilance is required - if using pheromone traps, monitor regularly. The HGCA Guide to assessment and control is available at http://www.hgca.com/document.aspx?fn=load&media_id=1769.
Come and visit us at stand 110 at Cereals 2008 on 11-12 June.
16/05/2008
Disease Update
All CropMonitor crops have now reached GS 37, and AICC members around the country are reporting that ears are emerging on forward crops. Flag-leaf sprays should be applied when the flag leaf has fully emerged on main shoots.
Yellow rust:
Regional reports indicate that yellow rust is present in the East, particularly in crops of Robigus where treatment was delayed. The untreated CropMonitor Robigus crops, are also showing signs of yellow rust. At Terrington, yellow rust is starting to take hold and at Boxworth is increasing on all leaves including eventual leaf 2.
Brown rust:
Regional reports indicate that Brown rust is almost absent in treated crops. In the CropMonitor crops, Brown rust is present on eventual leaf 4 of Robigus at Boxworth, and the odd spot of is also appearing in Solstice and Einstein at Terrington.
Septoria:
Using weather data from 1 April to 15 May, the CropMonitor risk prediction for Septoria tritici has now been updated. See http://cropmonitor.co.uk/wwheat/risktools/septoria/EarlyWarning.cfm
Cereals 2008:
CropMonitor will be at Crereals 2008 - come and visit us at Stand 110.
All CropMonitor crops have now reached GS 37, and AICC members around the country are reporting that ears are emerging on forward crops. Flag-leaf sprays should be applied when the flag leaf has fully emerged on main shoots.
Yellow rust:
Regional reports indicate that yellow rust is present in the East, particularly in crops of Robigus where treatment was delayed. The untreated CropMonitor Robigus crops, are also showing signs of yellow rust. At Terrington, yellow rust is starting to take hold and at Boxworth is increasing on all leaves including eventual leaf 2.
Brown rust:
Regional reports indicate that Brown rust is almost absent in treated crops. In the CropMonitor crops, Brown rust is present on eventual leaf 4 of Robigus at Boxworth, and the odd spot of is also appearing in Solstice and Einstein at Terrington.
Septoria:
Using weather data from 1 April to 15 May, the CropMonitor risk prediction for Septoria tritici has now been updated. See http://cropmonitor.co.uk/wwheat/risktools/septoria/EarlyWarning.cfm
Cereals 2008:
CropMonitor will be at Crereals 2008 - come and visit us at Stand 110.
30/04/2008
Disease Risk
Most CropMonitor sites have now reached GS31 (leaf 4 emerged) and weekly assessments are ongoing. Interpretation of the observations are provided by The Arable Group - the latest report is available at http://cropmonitor.co.uk/wwheat/livemonitoring/2008wheatmonitoring/viewCMReport.cfm?rep_id=14
Septoria tritici:
Septoria is the main disease present at significant levels at most CropMonitor sites. A preliminary, weather based, risk prediction for Septoria is now available on the website at http://cropmonitor.co.uk/wwheat/risktools/septoria/EarlyWarning.cfm. As the season progresses the prediction will be updated to include spring weather.
Yellow rust:
A low incidence of yellow rust has been noted at the three CropMonitor sites in the East (Boxworth, Terrington, Morley) The disease was noted on Robigus at all three sites, and also on Ambrosia at Terrington. Incidence is currently very low, however favourable weather for the disease during last week means that crops should be monitored carefully for the presence of symptoms, and given priority for T1 fungicides if the disease is found.
Most CropMonitor sites have now reached GS31 (leaf 4 emerged) and weekly assessments are ongoing. Interpretation of the observations are provided by The Arable Group - the latest report is available at http://cropmonitor.co.uk/wwheat/livemonitoring/2008wheatmonitoring/viewCMReport.cfm?rep_id=14
Septoria tritici:
Septoria is the main disease present at significant levels at most CropMonitor sites. A preliminary, weather based, risk prediction for Septoria is now available on the website at http://cropmonitor.co.uk/wwheat/risktools/septoria/EarlyWarning.cfm. As the season progresses the prediction will be updated to include spring weather.
Yellow rust:
A low incidence of yellow rust has been noted at the three CropMonitor sites in the East (Boxworth, Terrington, Morley) The disease was noted on Robigus at all three sites, and also on Ambrosia at Terrington. Incidence is currently very low, however favourable weather for the disease during last week means that crops should be monitored carefully for the presence of symptoms, and given priority for T1 fungicides if the disease is found.
09/04/2008
CropMonitor 2008
Weekly disease monitoring of the CropMonitor trial sites will begin as soon as the crops reach GS30. We anticipate that this will be later this week for some sites. Interpretation of the observations will be provided by The Arable Group - the first report, summarising current disease progress at the trials site is now available at http://cropmonitor.co.uk/wwheat/livemonitoring/2008wheatmonitoring/viewCMReport.cfm?rep_id=11.
Results will be reported at http://cropmonitor.co.uk/wwheat/livemonitoring/2008wheatmonitoring/LM-wheat.cfm. This year weather stations have been situated at most sites to aid with risk forecasting. Click the site names on the map to view live weather.
Forecasting risk on downy mildew in beans has also just started - see http://cropmonitor.co.uk/sbeans/livemonitoring/2008monitoring/bean-monitor.cfm
This alert is the first of the season, please ensure that the cropmonitor@csl.gov.uk address is added to your address book.
To accompany the email alerts service, CropMonitor also provides a free SMS alert service to alert you to any pest or disease risk. To receive SMS messages email cropmonitor@csl.gov.uk with the words 'CropMonitor SMS start' and your mobile telephone number.
You may stop receiving email alerts from
Weekly disease monitoring of the CropMonitor trial sites will begin as soon as the crops reach GS30. We anticipate that this will be later this week for some sites. Interpretation of the observations will be provided by The Arable Group - the first report, summarising current disease progress at the trials site is now available at http://cropmonitor.co.uk/wwheat/livemonitoring/2008wheatmonitoring/viewCMReport.cfm?rep_id=11.
Results will be reported at http://cropmonitor.co.uk/wwheat/livemonitoring/2008wheatmonitoring/LM-wheat.cfm. This year weather stations have been situated at most sites to aid with risk forecasting. Click the site names on the map to view live weather.
Forecasting risk on downy mildew in beans has also just started - see http://cropmonitor.co.uk/sbeans/livemonitoring/2008monitoring/bean-monitor.cfm
This alert is the first of the season, please ensure that the cropmonitor@csl.gov.uk address is added to your address book.
To accompany the email alerts service, CropMonitor also provides a free SMS alert service to alert you to any pest or disease risk. To receive SMS messages email cropmonitor@csl.gov.uk with the words 'CropMonitor SMS start' and your mobile telephone number.
You may stop receiving email alerts from
